Sumio Kawakami was a self-taught artist. He was born in Yokohama. He lived in Canada and Alaska in 1917-18, and subsequently became a teacher of English at a secondary school in Japan (until 1942). His artistic career started in 1920, and he became a prominent member of the Sosaku Hanga movement. He mostly carved his own blocks and most of his prints were self-printed in (generally) small editions. After WWII his work was generally recognized. His work was often inspired by the effect foreigners had had on Japanese culture from the 16th century onwards. His work is easily recognizable because of its originality. An important artist.